“The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another’s existence.” ~ Sue Atchley Ebaugh
As I perused my lovely Mother’s Day gifts this morning, each one reflected the specialness of the giver and warmed my heart. But more than gifts or praises, we mothers desire something more precious than store-bought sentiment - the gift of time. I love my children, but not for the gifts they bring. The gifts are a sweet representation of their love, but their presence in my life means more than I can describe.
On that thought, God nudges me. Is He trying to tell me something? After all, writers busy themselves with many a project, trying to honor Him with thoughtful, well-put words. In the process, we sometimes forget what He desires most. As much as words and stories bless His heart, He just wants us. If we but spend precious time with Him, the words will come.
A good week to concentrate on the Giver, and not so much the gifts. Let us honor God with all we write, but remember that good writing flows from a bountiful relationship with Him.
He is the Author and Perfector of our faith, amen?
Just received this from Carla Gade:
“April’s Carnival of Christian Writers is just around the corner and I just know that you all have some great posts to share! The sun is shining and the Son is shining in your writing experiences. Let’s hear all about it!
Just send along your link with a short blurb about the post. The carnival will be held at Writer Interrupted next Monday, April 27th.”
Carnival of Christian Writers Guidelines
Submission Guidelines:
Christian writers share in the craft of writing fiction, non-fiction, publishing, and anything else related to writing, including their faith. Post must address the craft, call, process, struggle, etc. of writing. Please email the coordinator a blurb about your post.
Email Carla:
carnivalcw@gmail.com
Carnival Coordinator
If you’ve read the blog So You Wanna Be Published you’ve discovered the tender heart of Mary DeMuth towards writers. Her excellent blog addresses vital topics, near and dear to our writerly hearts.
And if you’ve yet to be published, don’t despair. Mary shares:
“I have to admit before I was published, I thought that if I reached that nirvana called “published author,” I’d have sweet validation. Every day would be smiles and dancing. You know what? I was wrong. Being published is terrific, mind you, but it doesn’t bring happiness or validation. Instead, it adds more stress to your life.”
Mary doesn’t stop there. Please, go read the rest of this wonderful post where Mary explains the difference between “blocked” goals and attainable goals, and where our true validation lies.
Publishing Doesn’t Validate Your Life
From Spirit-Led Writer Magazine:
SPIRIT-LED WRITER MAGAZINE is celebrating our sixth year online. Do you have an idea for an article? Check our guidelines, submit your query, and become a part of our ever-growing magazine geared toward Christians who write! See Guidelines
Do you have a reprint that would fit well in SPIRIT-LED WRITER? Submit your query! Do you have a question about writing that you’d like to see an article address? Send your suggestions to: suggestions@spiritledwriter.com
And remember: We’re a paying market!
A giveaway, from Art BookBindery and the ladies over at Internet Cafe:
“You may enter once a day, every day through January 31st by simply reading and commenting on any January devotional here at the Internet Cafe. If you don’t have a blog, please be sure to leave an email address so we can contact you if your number is selected.”
Visit Writer…Interrupted
Gina Conroy, from Writer Interrupted, invited me to a new group she formed for Christian writers seeking to encourage one another. “As iron sharpens iron, let us connect and help each other on this journey of faith and writing,” she says.
Interested? Check it out.
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
Win The Planets DVD set:
One of my bloggerly writing pals is giving away a great DVD set on his blog. Hurry over to The Great Separation and leave Hal a comment. You might win! Deadline: December 7th.
December Christian Writers Carnival:
December is a busy month so we’ve made it especially easy to contribute to the Carnival of Christian Writers. In this month’s Carnival we’re going to feature your best blog post in 2007 about the craft and call of writing.
Early deadline: Please submit your entry no later than December 16th.
The carnival will post on New Year’s Eve.
You may use the Carnival of Christian Writers “submission” page. Remember, only the link and a brief description of your post is needed, not the entire article.
To submit, go to Writer…Interrupted and follow instructions.
Thanks!
November Carnival of Christian Writers at Writer . . . Interrupted
Enjoy this month’s new entries at the Carnival of Christian Writers. Authors and agents “talk turkey” about the craft and call of writing and offer some seasonal insights. Enjoy!
Just received this from Carla Gade, coordinator of Christian Carnival of Writers:
“It’s time to talk turkey. What great advice can you offer during this month’s harvest at the Carnival of Christian Writers? Or perhaps you have been bountifully blessed as a writer. We’d love to share your blog post in this month’s carnival. Please send in your entry by Saturday, Nov.24th. We had a great response last month and hope to hear from you again!”
Email Carla at: carnivalcw@gmail.com
Some wonderful tidbits from Living Your Calling by Kevin & Kay Marie Brennfleck:
“Hopes, dreams, and perceptions of our callings are often fragile in the beginning. Choose carefully the people with whom you share them.”
“Choosing to see the positive in ourselves and in the life situations we encounter comes down to a matter of faith. Optimism for people of faith is founded on trusting that God is in control; regardless of how bleak or challenging circumstances seem to be, he is using them for our good and his glory.”
“We need the Creator of time to guide us away from living the stressed-out, overscheduled, and anxiety-ridden life of driven people and into living the centered, purposeful, and joyful life of people who are called.”
